TWTW: Reign Stumble, Remain First in Pacific

Nov 30, 2015

The Week That Was…

The Ontario Reign took on the Stockton Heat on Thanksgiving Eve and battled the San Diego Gulls in a home-and-home weekend series for a week record of 1-2-0-0 and an overall record of 11-4-2-0 to sit on top of the Pacific Division and stand second in the Western Conference.

On Wednesday, forward Justin Auger opened the scoring against the Heat 54 seconds into the game and forward Adrian Kempe buried the game-winning goal late in first period for a 2-1 victory. Goaltender Peter Budaj earned his 10th win of the season making 18 saves.

The Reign kicked off the home-and-home series with the Gulls on Friday at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. Forward Michael Mersch grabbed both Reign tallies, but the Gulls slipped away, 3-2. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak.

The following night at Citizens Business Bank Arena, the bitter rivals collided in front of a sellout crowd of 9,491 with the Gulls skating away with a 3-1 victory. Kempe buried the lone tally for the Reign midway through the third period.